Tottenham Hotspur v Arsenal
FA Premiership
White Hart Lane
Saturday, November 13, 2004
Kick-off 12pm
REFEREE
- Steve Bennett
(Orpington)
ATTENDANCE
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
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ARSENAL
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By Richard Clarke
There is nothing average about a North London derby. These are still very special games in the hearts of all Arsenal supporters.
The acid test always comes in the summer when the fixture list is released. The Tottenham games and arguably the two Manchester United matches are some of the first dates sought and penciled into the diary.
Of course, Arsenal lost their unbeaten at Old Trafford three weeks ago. However the Arsenal boss believes the team are ready to bounce back at White Hart Lane. The red-and-white half of the capital would certainly describe that as perfect timing.
“I expected a little blip after the Manchester United game,” said Arsène Wenger at his pre-game press conference. “It took time to heal that but now we are back focusing on the Premiership again. The team is really determined to bounce back to normal levels.
“We had a disappointing result against Southampton and you knew at the beginning of the season you might only get a draw at Crystal Palace.
“But our displays were not as good as we are used to them being. We don’t like average performances. We want to get back to our level again.”
Arsenal have a number of injuries. Edu (toe), Gilberto (vertebrae), Sol Campbell (calf) and Gael Clichy (ankle) are all missing as Wenger defends his excellent record against Tottenham – Played 17 Won 8 Drawn 8 Lost 1.
That one defeat, in this fixture in late 1999, was the last positive result either way at White Hart Lane. The following three games have been drawn but, it is worth noting, the point Arsenal gained last season did secure them the Premiership title.
“Generally I feel we have done well in the derbies,” said Wenger. “We know what is expected of us.”
Victory over Tottenham would help put Arsenal put pressure on Premiership leaders Chelsea. Wenger believes games against Jose Mourinho’s impressive side have now assumed an added importance in the capital but he cautioned: “There is still something special between Tottenham and Arsenal.”
However, while tomorrow’s game will decide bragging rights between N5 and N17, the long-term goal is retention of the title. Chelsea have profited from Arsenal’s draws in recent weeks but Wenger see no reason to be unduly worried just yet.
“They can drop points too,” he said. “Three weeks ago Chelsea were five points behind us. Since then they have made expected results. We had a blip that has made those results more significant. But they had lost at Manchester City just before that
“We know they are a very good side. But remember we won the title at Easter last year and it is now November.
“There is a long way to go. We are not at the stage here we worry about points. It is a stage where we should concentrate and worry about quality of performance.
“It is tight [at the top right now]. But three weeks ago everybody said we were unstoppable.
“We had a little physical blip and hangover from the Manchester United game but I think the boys are back to the usual level.
“Remember we have lost one of our last 52 games.”
